Glacier Bay boat sinks after humpback whale collision

A family was forced to flee their vessel after a humpback whale struck and sank their sailing boat in Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park on July 29. The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. while the family, including Tania Lewis, her husband Eric, and their son Lou, were anchored in a cove.

The impact caused a massive puncture in the boat's keel, large enough for a person to crawl through, and the vessel sank within approximately three minutes. The family attempted to use an attached dinghy to reach safety, but the small craft also began to flood. After navigating the water, the family reached the shore, where they faced cold temperatures and limited supplies.

Following the collision, the family huddled under emergency blankets and managed to make radio calls. They were eventually assisted by a passing cruise ship at 3:00 a.m. and were officially rescued by Park Service crews at 6:30 a.m. A park biologist suggested the whale may have rammed the boat while chasing fish.